Chapter 3 - The Embezzlement Trap
The accusations hung heavily in the freezing air of the hospital room.
Natalie stared at Detective Vance in absolute disbelief, refusing to accept his outrageous claims.
"That is completely impossible," Natalie argued, stepping firmly between the detective and the bed.
"I found his truck at the bottom of a ravine with his medical supplies for his sick daughter."
Detective Vance offered a cynical, condescending smile that made Natalie's blood boil.
"Medical supplies are a very convenient cover for a man fleeing with stolen cash," Vance replied smoothly.
He pulled a glossy photograph from his folder and dropped it onto the small bedside table.
It was a security camera still from the downtown federal credit union taken three days ago.
A man wearing a dark baseball cap and a heavy jacket was carrying a large canvas duffel bag.
The profile of the man in the photo bore a striking resemblance to Andrew Miller.
"Five million dollars vanished from the vault during the night shift," Vance explained.
"And Miller's personal bank account received a mysterious deposit of fifty thousand dollars yesterday morning."
Ashley started sobbing quietly, pulling the blanket over her face to block out the terrifying words.
Natalie gently stroked the little girl's hair, glaring daggers at the cold-hearted detective.
"He was struggling to pay a five-thousand-dollar mortgage," Natalie countered fiercely.
"If he had millions of dollars, why was his refrigerator completely empty?"
Vance shrugged indifferently, showing zero empathy for the sick child or her missing father.
"Greedy criminals are notoriously bad at managing their daily expenses, Officer," Vance said.
"Now, step aside so Child Protective Services can take custody of the minor."
Before Natalie could block the doorway, two social workers pushed past the detective into the room.
They moved toward the bed with official clipboards, ready to pull Ashley away from her only comfort.
Ashley screamed in absolute terror, clutching Natalie’s uniform pants and begging not to be taken.
Natalie's radio suddenly crackled loudly, interrupting the chaotic scene in the room.
It was the dispatch operator relaying a major break in the local emergency scanner.
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A local fisherman had just pulled an unconscious man matching Andrew's description out of the river.
He was alive, clinging to consciousness, and desperately asking for his daughter.
